ISO 7503 (all parts) and ISO 8769 are addressed to the people responsible for determining the radioactivity present on solid surfaces. ISO 7503 is published in three parts and can be used jointly or separately according to needs.

This part of ISO 7503 relates to the assessment of surface contamination by direct and indirect measurements and the calibration of the associated instrumentation.

The standard applies to alpha-, beta- and photon emitters and is intended for use by hospitals, universities, police, or industrial establishments. The standard also can be used in the assessment of activity on trucks, containers, parcels, equipment and is applicable in any organization which handles radioactive materials. Generally, it is applicable to well defined flat surfaces where direct methods are applicable, however, it can also be used for surfaces which are not flat and where indirect wipe tests would be appropriate. These investigations may be carried out on containers, inaccessible areas, non-flat areas where wipe tests can be used. This part of ISO 7503 may be useful in emergency situations, i.e. in nuclear accidents where health physics professionals would be involved.

This part of ISO 7503 does not apply to the evaluation of contamination of the skin, of clothing and of loose material such as gravel.